#232: Polar Night & Northern Lights
Winter solstice has come and gone here in the northern hemisphere and we’re slowly heading towards brighter days. Above the arctic circle, however, inhabitants will have to wait a bit longer to see the sun. There, polar night — where the sun doesn’t rise for months — still keeps its grip. Inhospitable as this may seem, entire communities have adapted to the long night, and the northern lights playing across the sky provide a reminder that light will eventually return.
This week's prompts are inspired by polar nights, human resilience, and, most of all, the glimmers of hope that make it all worthwhile.
This week's prompts
Set your story during polar night.
Winter – 37 stories
Write a story set in a world with a dying sun, or where light is a scarce resource.
Science Fiction – 65 stories
Write a story about someone witnessing — or trying to witness — a celestial phenomenon.
Adventure – 39 stories
Write a story about someone looking for a sign in a dark sky.
Angst – 56 stories
Stories
“The Eternal Light of the Ten Song Lantern” by John Werner
Submitted to Contest #232
“Getty Y'up” by Tommy Goround
Submitted to Contest #232
“Red Dog Poker Mornings” by Scott Christenson
Submitted to Contest #232
“Dusk to Dusk” by Ralph Aldrich
Submitted to Contest #232
“Northern Lights” by Eve Colabella
⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #232
“Illuminance” by Malia Kao
Submitted to Contest #232
“The Northern Lights are not green.” by Emma Sinclair
Submitted to Contest #232
“The Perfect Shot” by Joshua G. J. Insole
Submitted to Contest #232
“Gifts from the East” by 𝔊𝔲𝔞𝔡𝔞𝔩𝔲𝔭𝔢 𝔗𝔢𝔩𝔠𝔬𝔫𝔱𝔞𝔯
Submitted to Contest #232
“The Final Dance” by Molly Roth
Submitted to Contest #232
“The Flame that Holds the Darkness at Bay” by Elisa Welch
Submitted to Contest #232
“Lightning Thief” by Fi Brie
Submitted to Contest #232
“Bearing Light in Eternal Shadows” by Martha Muraglia
Submitted to Contest #232
“Holes in My Memory” by Allan Bernal
Submitted to Contest #232
$250
Prize money
281
Contest entries
106
Stories
Ended on 23:59 - Jan 12, 2024 EST
Won by Jonathan Page 🏆
Title: The Lantern of Kaamos
Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.
Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!